I happened to nail the first FG block at the Tenn/Bama game, the ball compressed into Cody's arm. When the second one came up, I was dodging people and trying to get into position. I was rushed and when I set my aperture for more DOF, I didn't go near far enough with the shutter...so I shot this photo very dark. My question is: Is it shot, or can it still be used?

yeah - it just is REALLY busy.

the block gets lost in the clutter and the scoreboard is so distracting.

def usable, not ideal but hey you got the moment

Just really tough to pick out the ball in my opinion, but then again I'm not editing for publication. Who knows what someone else would accept as usable or not.

One of the hardest things about sports photography is accepting the reality that you just missed getting that one big play. You just continue to look at an image and try and convince yourself that you got it when in fact you probably didn't.

I realize I didn't get it...you couldn't even see it on the camera. But for myself, I will use it just as a momento of the wild game...

Wish I hadn't forgotten that dang shutter...

If you really want that shot, put on your headphones for an hour, get in there and blur the background. It will be tedious, but you can do it. Do what you can to make the ball more visible as well, brighten it up a bit or something.

I never thought about doing that...I can put a slight gaussian blur on it...I will try that and see how it looks. Thanks for the idea corndog

I would refrain from that. Enjoy your image as it is. The quality will be much much better than your editted one i assure you.

But -- whatever tickles your fancy

-Dann

I think your best bet is a tighter crop. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction, just move on. You suggested the problem was your shutter speed, but I think the problem is that you have too much DOF.

You are correct about the DOF. I rolled it a little high, but my problem was the shutter speed as far as quality of the lighting in the photo.
Like I said, I missed it, that sux, but it is just a momento for myself.

Compare the color in the image compared the the first block...

uhh?

the 2nd picture is way better regardless of exposure .... post that and forget the other one

You can try putting the player blocking the ball on another layer and turning the color down on the BG a little bit and that should bring it out more.

I think the point is being missed... The first shot is "THE" block. It ended the game and kept Bama's hopes of a national title in place. The second block photo was from earlier in the game. Yes its a better shot, but that first one might be the defining moment for the season.

AND... I think the crop is perfect, tighter and something is missing. Just my Humble opinion

Fellow from Birmingham News had a shot of the last block very similar to OP's shot of the first block (confused yet?) that was pretty much the entire front page of the sports section here in Knoxville.

DannWunderlich wrote:
uhh?

the 2nd picture is way better regardless of exposure .... post that and forget the other one




+1 What Dann said!

HAYNBUCKEYE wrote:
DannWunderlich wrote:
uhh?

the 2nd picture is way better regardless of exposure .... post that and forget the other one




+1 What Dann said!

Add me to the +1 list. second shot is excellent....first one is far to busy.

+1 second shot is far superior.

I'm not trying to bash by any means so don't take this the wrong way. I'm just "funnin," but the first one is like a Where's Waldo. I also found some humor in how at the far left of the frame, it looks like the guy in red is kicking the guy next to #88.

But yes, second shot is awesome. I suggest painstakingly trying to edit it in post, as mentioned before.